Austria round-up: Austria ready to celebrate
Wednesday, April 23, 2003
Article summary
FK Austria Wien need just one point from six games to clinch the title after a 3-0 win at SK Sturm Graz.
Article body
FK Austria Wien need just one point from their final six games to clinch the Austrian Bundesliga title after an emphatic 3-0 win at SK Sturm Graz.
Superior goal difference
Only Grazer AK can catch them – but their goal difference is inferior to Austria's by 21. Austria took the lead on 28 minutes against Sturm on Tuesday through Radoslav Gilewicz. Vladimir Janočko and Sigurd Rushfeldt added further goals in a six-minute period midway through the second half to confirm the victory.
Pasching hopes end
Had both GAK and SV Pasching then lost on Wednesday, Austria would have been confirmed as champions. Pasching were defeated 2-1 by bottom side Bregenz. Olivier Nzuzi Niati Polo and Peter Hlinka struck in the first half for Bregenz and although substitute Michael Horvath pulled one back with 24 minutes to go, no equaliser was forthcoming.
GAK held
However, GAK remain mathematically able to catch Austria thanks to a 0-0 draw at SK Rapid Wien that moved them a point ahead of Pasching into second place. Nevertheless, Austria can end all debate about the outcome of the league and become champions for the 22nd time, ten years after their last title, with a draw against GAK when the two teams meet on Saturday.
Vital Admira victory
VfB Admira Wacker Mödling stayed three points clear of Bregenz in the race to avoid relegation as they registered a 4-0 home win against FC Kärnten. The match was goalless with 20 minutes to go, but Kliton Bozgo, Tomasz Iwan, Sebastian Olszar and Fernando Troyanski scored to secure a valuable win.
Champions League place
SV Austria Salzburg moved up to fourth, just three points behind GAK in the second UEFA Champions League qualifying place, as they won 2-1 at SV Ried. Salzburg had Roland Kirchler sent off just before half-time, but took the lead six minutes into the second period through Thomas Eder and Andreas Ibertsberger doubled their lead 16 minutes later. Muhammet Akagündüz pulled one back for Ried, but Salzburg held on to boost their European hopes.
